Jainism Abroad

Author(s): Pratap J Tolia
Publisher: Vardhaman Bharati International Foundation

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Salvation - Path of Right knowledge, Right Cognition and Right life-conduct -----
He has made up his mind to attain the Soul-power within this body for ever and ultimately to get liberated from all sorts of bodies---- The TEJASA, The KARMANA, etc., -- and to "be" into his infinite potentially Divine "Soul" by burning all the "KARMAS".
........... The main path of the Capital of Vaishali........ The countless stream of human beings on it ....... And there, inbetween, is passing the grand possession of Vardhaman Mahaveera's renunciation and initiation, wherein on one hand Indra and the other Gods carry his Palanquin and on the other the Celestial planes - The DEVA VIMANAS - fly afloat in the sky blowing the Divine trumpets and Musical Instruments....... Yes, this is the great occasion of the pious renunciation - the "DIKSHA KALYANAKA".
DIKSHA - the great renunciation, the great initiation, which has not been born out of 'Escape' or 'imitation' or 'blind following' or 'show' or any other 'motive' ...... It is the outcome of understanding of remote internal longing and of that commanding CALL ...! It is being initiated into by persuading all the relatives with Love and Spirit of forgiveness to depart for a better cause - a highly spiritual and universal cause. *THE UTTARADHYAYANA SUTRA : 19.16, English comments from: "The Teachings of Bhagawan Mahaveer"
THE ASCETIC LIFE
After reaching at the "UNATAKHANDA VANA", the forest, Prince Vardhamana, who is on a symbolic fast of two days, gets down from the Palanquin and standing below the ASHOKA tree, strips himself of all the valuable garments and ornaments and then taking the solemn vow of renunciation amidst all, plucks all the hair from his head. With a view to prevent the incoming Karmas and accumulation of any fresh Karmas in future and to destroy the past Karmas he pledges PANCHA MAHAVRATAS - The five great vows of Non-violence, Truth, Non-stealing, Celibacy and Non-possession. God Indra then offers him 'DEVA DUSHYA' - the Divine cloth. Bhagawan Mahaveera then immediately attains the fourth knowledge of reading the thoughts of all sentient beings called the "MANAHPARYAVA JNANA".
Behold! The ceremony of this great initiation is also over now. The Gods are returning to their abodes..... Prince Vardhamana Mahaveera has become a NIRGRANTHA monk now and is going further from the "UNATAKHNDA VANA” towards ASTHIKGRAM barefooted ........ The whole family and relatives and the citizens have come behind him up to this extent, but now he has to proceed further on the path of the Infinite, the Unknown, leaving all here behind - Alone, lonely and Association-less!
See there!......!here behind is the dark dense forest of the 'UNATAKHANDA VANA' and here.....here before is the group of sobbing sorrowful relatives come for the last send off. But without getting moved of their tears, the totally detached and renounced Nirgrantha Mahaveera bids farewell to all, getting absorbed into his "ATMA BHAVANA" (The state of attachment - less self) beneath the visible flow of his KSHAMA (forgiveness), PREMA (universal love) and KARUNA (Compassion).
Soberly, seriously and silently marching goes he and gets lost into the woods........the relatives stand "still" watching him unto the last glimpse of his Divine Body and shedding tears with the cries of the greatest sorrow of the separation. The words depicting the heart - shaking lamenting of bereaved brother Nandivardhana, wife Yashoda and small daughter Priyadarshana, all create a pathetic chorus: "TVAYA VINA VEER KATHAM VRAJAMO ?" --------"O Brother ! How shall we return to the deserted forest- like home ? How shall we get the pleasures of Sweet enlightening talks which we had with you? With whom shall we sit together, dine and enjoy ?"
But these tearful words could not move the Super Monk who had proceeded further on his eternal voyage, from the very first phase of which he has taken this further rigorous vow :
"For 12 years, till I attain the "KEVALA-JNANA", neither shall I nurse and care my body, nor shall I resist the obstacles and torturing of Gods-human beings-animals, nor shall I allow even a little worry to enter my mind..........." *